Seeing that his mind was made up, Cheng Zitong nodded slowly and asked, "Little Chuan, you've been cultivating according to Old He's notes lately. Where are you at now?"
Chen Chuan thought for a moment. He could feel that even with the help of things like the bone bead during training, his rate of improvement had gradually slowed down.
According to his estimates, in two or three months at most, he would hit the true bottleneck of the First Limit. Linger any longer at this limit, and the returns would be negligible—hardly worth the effort.
And based on his discussions with He Xiaoxing, there was no need to obsess over this. Those limits could be made up and refined together once he attained the Second Limit or even higher limits.
He said, "I think it might be time to put coursework for the Second Limit on the schedule."
"The Second Limit..."
Cheng Zitong remarked with feeling, "Apart from a few elite cadets, the vast majority of students can't reach that level even when they graduate—in fact, most never reach it in their entire lives. If you can achieve it soon, taking the test now will definitely be better than waiting until your third year, since people won't be as guarded against you."
At the Second Limit, mutated tissue grew deeper, further enhancing one's physical constitution beyond the previous baseline. That would undoubtedly allow mastery of more jin and combat techniques, elevating combat capability far beyond what it once was.
He pulled open a drawer, produced a form prepared long in advance, and set it on the desk. "This is the application for the unlimited defense license. If you've made up your mind, fill it out.
"Once the application is submitted, someone will review it, though it's merely a formality. If the higher-ups don't block you this time, you'll have to take the test within six months. Still, you have evaluations and recommendations from three separate departments. Going by your cousin's analysis, they have no reason to obstruct you any longer."
Chen Chuan reached out and took it. After glancing it over, he pulled out a pen and filled it out on the spot. Once finished, he checked it over and handed it back to Cheng Zitong. "Teacher, please submit it for me."
While teacher and student were talking, a car pulled up at the plaza outside Wuyi Academy's gate. The rear doors opened one after another, and Zhuang Zhi, Chang Sheng, and Zhuang Zhongshan climbed out.
Then the front passenger door swung open, and Tai Dongwei stepped out. As a senior student and a fellow member of the Mutual Aid Society, he had deliberately brought along these three junior underclassmen for this commission.
It had been the first commission for all three, and they felt they had learned a great deal and broadened their horizons. Certain things truly could not be taught in the academy.
Tai Dongwei had acted like a big brother throughout, offering them plenty of pointers and assistance, making for a harmonious rapport between them.
Zhuang Zhi said, "Thank you for looking after us on this commission, Senior Tai."
"Don't mention it."
Tai Dongwei said with a smile, "Since we're all in the Mutual Aid Society, we ought to look out for one another. You all have great potential. Don't worry if certain first-year cadets seem stronger than you right now—they're merely coasting on their head start.
"When cultivating combat, as long as ample resources are poured in and you possess sufficient talent, the more invested, the greater the return. And you..."
He looked around at the three of them, gesturing to emphasize his point. "You undoubtedly have the potential. With the Mutual Aid Society's support, in a year or two, you'll find that students in your year won't even count as rivals. Every one of you will be outstanding."
Zhuang Zhi thoroughly agreed. He was now immensely glad he had joined the Mutual Aid Society, for it granted him far more resources and backing.
Because of this, he looked down on those unwilling to join—like Chen Chuan. Chen Chuan clearly had exceptional talent yet acted full of himself, refusing to join, which was nothing short of squandering his gifts. He might seem stronger right now, but the resources and opportunities available to the two of them were completely unequal.
Once Zhuang Zhi completed more commissions, his combat experience and skill would catch up; by their second year, he would pull ahead, and by the third, he would leave Chen Chuan far behind in the dust.
And then there was that Wei Dong, who was originally assigned to their dorm room group but hung around the folks across the hall all day. Considering the guy wasn't all that bright, though, there was no need to be too harsh on him; it was just a shame to lose a useful brawler.
He thanked Tai Dongwei once more. After exchanging polite goodbyes with the trio, Tai Dongwei headed back to his dormitory. The Mutual Aid Society had arranged this commission, which meant they took a seventy-percent cut of the payout.
Still, without their connections, he never would have landed such an easy commission suitable for mentoring newcomers, so he held no grudge.
When he arrived at the dorm building, a cadet wearing glasses approached and greeted him, "Senior Tai."
Tai Dongwei recognized him as one of the Mutual Aid Society's liaisons and knew there must be business. He asked, "Is something happening in the society?"
"Senior Jiang wants to see you all. Come with me."
Tai Dongwei hesitated. "I just got back from a commission and I'm covered in dust. Maybe I should change first."
"No need. Senior Jiang won't care about that, and we can't keep the other seniors waiting."
"The others?"
The cadet smiled. "You'll see once you get there, Senior Tai."
Tai Dongwei asked no more questions and followed him into a waiting car. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the North Peak Villa Grounds, stopping in front of a garden villa.
As he stepped out, a man resembling a butler emerged from within and gestured politely. "This way, please."
Tai Dongwei noticed several other chauffeur vehicles parked outside, indicating he wasn't the only one summoned today. Straightening his clothes, he followed the man inside, passing through the grand foyer flanked by standing servants, and entered a spacious living room.
Just as he suspected, he was not alone; two others had already arrived.
One was a slightly dark-skinned young man named Geng Zheng, a second-year cadet. When he first entered the academy, he had been the most talented of his class—not even third-year students could beat him. But he was proud and had adamantly refused to join the Mutual Aid Society until recently, when some circumstance had compelled him to agree.
The other was Deng Fu, in Tai Dongwei's year, a cadet from the Weapons Division.
Facing them on a large sofa sat five people, all undoubtedly high-ranking figures within the Mutual Aid Society and representatives of the influential families.
He hadn't seen much of the two sitting on the flanks; they were likely underclassmen. Yet he did not look down on them for being juniors. To be seated there meant they had formidable family backgrounds, perhaps related by blood to past graduates or cadets who had gone on to Center City.
As for the three in the middle, the one on the left was Jiang Wei, whom underclassmen called Senior Jiang and who frequently acted as their liaison. The one on the right was Shao Xiaobie, who had left a strong impression on him because the upper-class scions playfully nicknamed him "Xiao Bie." He usually seemed easygoing and unpretentious.
As for the young man seated dead center, Tai Dongwei had never seen him before, but his background and influence were presumably the most formidable of them all—otherwise, he wouldn't be occupying the central seat.
Once Tai Dongwei arrived, Jiang Wei didn't invite him to sit, stating directly, "We invited the three of you here today because all three of you have obtained weapons licenses."
He gave a nod, and an attendant handed three forms to them. "Please fill out these forms."
Tai Dongwei took his and glanced at it, surprised. "The unlimited defense license?"
Beside him, Geng Zheng looked incredulous as he stared at the figures on the sofa. "You want us to test for the unlimited defense license?"
Senior Jiang smiled. "That's right."
"Really?"
Geng Zheng seemed somewhat excited. "This is what I've always wanted. But why..."
He truly hadn't expected the Mutual Aid Society to let him test for this license. He had never even considered it before, as this had always been the exclusive domain of recommended students. To think they would extend such an opportunity to them—perhaps joining the Mutual Aid Society really had been a good choice?
Tai Dongwei prudently kept quiet.
Deng Fu, however, asked, "What do you need us to do?"
Senior Jiang smiled and said, "It's simple. Once the examination begins, by whatever means necessary, ensure that you do not pass."
"Not pass?"
"Correct."
Jiang Wei gestured toward the center. "Senior Wei will be testing for the unlimited defense license this year, so we plan to have you accompany him."
Tai Dongwei ventured to ask, "This... I don't understand. If we are meant to fail anyway, why can't we simply withdraw beforehand?"
Jiang Wei shook his head with a chuckle. "That wouldn't do. After all, the higher-ups grant commoner students plenty of chances. If not a single one even sits for the test, it would look bad." He gave another slight smile. "Sitting for it and failing, however, is an entirely different matter."
Deng Fu thought for a moment and boldly asked, "May I ask what we stand to gain?"
Senior Jiang smiled and said, "We will give you a sum of money and forgive a portion of your debts. We can also relax certain terms of our agreement."
"I agree!"
Deng Fu agreed without hesitation.
Seeing Jiang Wei's gaze shift toward him, Tai Dongwei followed suit. "I have no objections either."
He knew the unlimited defense license had always been monopolized by recommended students, so he had never harbored any hopes for it to begin with. Moreover, he knew everything about him was in their grasp; his own wishes didn't matter in the least. Being able to secure extra benefits was already quite fortunate.
Senior Jiang looked at the last person. "Student Geng, what about you?"
Geng Zheng looked up at the figures on the sofa. "Can I choose not to give it up?"
At those words, the other recommended students on the sofa broke into laughter. Senior Jiang looked at him and asked with a smile, "Your reason?"
Geng Zheng said solemnly, "Because I believe I can pass. That way, I can make a greater contribution to the Mutual Aid Society, and I will remember the benefits you have given me."
He had earned his weapons license in his second year and was the most outstanding cadet of his class, outperforming many upperclassmen. Consequently, he was proud and believed he possessed great potential, worth special regard from the Mutual Aid Society. He did not want to throw this away.
Jiang Wei smiled and said, "Student Geng, you are talented, and we have given you many chances. But opportunities do not come without conditions..."
"I know!" Geng Zheng emphasized. "I will do everything in my power to repay you after graduation! When I joined, didn't you say I could retain my own opinions?"
Jiang Wei nodded. "We did say that, provided it doesn't harm the interests of the Mutual Aid Society."
"But I'm not—"
Jiang Wei pushed up his glasses and said with a smile, "Senior Wei's wishes represent the interests of the Mutual Aid Society. Our demands likewise represent the interests of the Mutual Aid Society."
Geng Zheng bristled with indignation. "Before, you—"
"What 'you'?" Shao Xiaobie snapped impatiently, pointing at him from the sofa. "If you're going to be a dog, know your place as one. Do what you're told. Where do you get off whining like this?"
"You..."
Geng Zheng's face flushed scarlet.
Hearing this, Deng Fu remained completely calm, looking as though it didn't bother him in the least, while Tai Dongwei lowered his head.
Jiang Wei smiled at Geng Zheng. "Student Geng, you can certainly choose to refuse. However, obstructing the Mutual Aid Society's interests will be deemed a breach of contract. You will be required to pay a hefty penalty, and we will revoke all investments in you. You will receive no further supplemental instruction or medical support."
Geng Zheng clenched his fists. Joining the Mutual Aid Society had been an act of desperation; his family had accumulated massive medical debts that he couldn't possibly repay. Only with the society's backing had things begun to look up, and the medication could not be discontinued under any circumstances.
Jiang Wei glanced at his watch. "Two minutes to consider."
Neither Tai Dongwei nor Deng Fu said a word. Silence hung heavy in the room.
The other high-ranking members of the Mutual Aid Society, including Senior Wei who had not spoken a word, watched him with amused interest, seemingly eager to see his choice.
The seconds ticked away. Soon, Jiang Wei spoke. "Two minutes are up." He looked at Geng Zheng. "Student Geng, your decision?"
"I..."
Geng Zheng lowered his head, veins bulging across his clenched fists. "...I agree."
Senior Wei rose from his seat and said, "Handle the rest properly." Then he walked out, and the other privileged scions of the society stood and followed him out.
Shao Xiaobie grumbled as he walked, "Making me come all this way for such trivial nonsense. Oh, right," he instructed an attendant at his side, "don't forget to pay him. Even a dog deserves a few meaty bones, doesn't it?"
Once outside, Senior Jiang said with a smile, "Brother Shao, you're too harsh on them."
Shao Xiaobie scoffed. Dogs needed to be broken. How else would they obey? Be nice to them, and they'd only walk all over you and take it for granted.
Back in the room, once all three had signed, three checks were handed to them.
Geng Zheng felt his dignity had been trampled into the dirt. A deep sense of humiliation welled within him; his breathing grew heavy, his eyes turning bloodshot. Sensing something was wrong, Tai Dongwei came over and patted his shoulder. "Junior Geng, are you all right?"
"Get away! Don't touch me!" Geng Zheng slapped his hand away.
Tai Dongwei quickly stepped back. "Brother, no need to take your anger out on me."
Deng Fu flicked the check in his hand and happily tucked it into his pocket. Looking at Geng Zheng, he said, "Come on, Junior Geng, that's just how the world works. Take the money and go enjoy yourself. Isn't this why we bust our guts working for others in the first place?"
Geng Zheng looked at the two of them, unable to comprehend. In a low voice, he asked, "Don't you have any ambitions?"
"Ambitions?"
Deng Fu looked at him in surprise, then shrugged and walked out, speaking as he went:
"Things like that? If you had ambitions, you shouldn't have joined the Mutual Aid Society. Take a brother's advice and drop those ideas as soon as possible. Because in this society, they're purely superfluous."
Chapter 141